Trouble logging in?If you can't remember your password or are having trouble logging in, you will have to reset your password. If you have trouble resetting your password (for example, if you lost access to the original email address), please do not start posting with a new account, as this is against the forum rules. If you create a temporary account, please contact us right away via Forum Support, and send us any information you can about your original account, such as the account name and any email address that may have been associated with it.

the same reason many animal species socialize... because its a winning strategy for survival of the species. "Everyone for themself" is ultimately a losing proposition unless you sacrifice brainpower for other tools (teeth, claws, etc).

Humans have also nicked onto the strategy of socialization to retain information for longer than a few lifespans and more broadly distributed than one family.

the same reason many animal species socialize... because its a winning strategy for survival of the species. "Everyone for themself" is ultimately a losing proposition unless you sacrifice brainpower for other tools (teeth, claws, etc).

Humans have also nicked onto the strategy of socialization to retain information for longer than a few lifespans and more broadly distributed than one family.

As Vexx implied, any individual reason for socialisation one may have is only secondary to the need that we have to socialise as the gregarious species we are. It's like asking why do you walk on two feet or why do mothers care for their children.

As the others have said, it's pretty much a need-you'd literally go insane or die of boredom if you were alone for too many years. To change the subject a bit, does participation in forums and MMOs count as socialization?

The question was general - "why do humans socialize?" I answered that question. If one is being purely analytical - that should be the reason for one personally to socialize. However, the body *rewards* you for socialization:
1) you live longer and are healthier
2) more likely to be mentally functional

MMOs and forums provide mental stimulation which is good in a pinch... but they rather lack all the other components humans may need (smell, facial cues, pheromones, other pack behavior cues). How often do we see "the guy in the gaming store" who is so socially awkward it even makes the other gamers a bit squeamish? It takes practice to be socially "ept". We are innately social animals as a species ... so I'd say ask that question again when online experiences approximate a 'holodeck' or sensory suit

A face-to-face LAN party is a superior experience but the Internet is very nice to have for when that is too difficult.

Well, if you're being personal, usually just because I'm bored, and I find other people to be possible catalysts for making entertaining things happen. I've never really felt any need to be around anyone for any other reason, though. Occasionally, I do encounter one person that I find more interesting than others, and I find being around them enjoyable, but I'm perfectly capable of enjoying myself just as much without them.

I don't know if I'd really count MMOs and forums as socialization. In both cases, they can be like low-level puzzles. All you have to do is figure out what to type to get a positive outcome. It wouldn't matter if the person on the other end was actually a person, or just a computer.

A LAN party is actually socialization, though, albeit a more structured form than what you'd find normally. Everybody there has something in common, and everybody has a pretty good idea of what everybody is going to be doing. You still have to be able to get along and follow the cues of other people around you and not act too weird and freak everybody out, though. That's really what a large part of socializing is in the first place.

I was at a LAN party just last weekend, actually. Fragfest 16. Fun stuff.

I do count social networks like Twitter as a form of socialization, but not directly, face to face conversation. Social networks makes it alot easier to socialize with people since you can talk to them while they in a different location.

Also, Blogs too can be a form of socialization since people can comment on your posts and you can either respond back. Forums too since you are talking to other people you may not know that well on various topics. Perhaps the internet can also be used as a form of socialization since you can share you ideas, email to other people and instant messaging. Also, the current technology allows for voice and video chat for face to face conversation even though you are in a different location.

As Vexx implied, any individual reason for socialisation one may have is only secondary to the need that we have to socialise as the gregarious species we are. It's like asking why do you walk on two feet or why do mothers care for their children.

I don't understand. Those questions are logically too unalike and not as deep as the question of socialization. You walk because there are needs you must satisfy---survivability. Otherwise, if I had a better source of transportation---teleportation perhaps---walking wouldn't be done. Mothers caring for their children, although not necessarily, is just a human instinct. Socializing is not a need nor an instinct. Although I haven't really experienced total isolation, the fact that people are around comforts me solely on the level of safety and not the human need. Why is it a necessity for survival when all the basic human needs such as food, clothing, shelter and ongoing entertainment exists?

I'll give a simple reason that's on a much larger, less individualistic scale. The question asks why do humans socialize? To put things simply, socialization is a natural human instinct. Without socialization, humans wouldn't be able to reproduce, and they would go extinct rather quickly as a result. On a more individual basis, humans need to interact with others. It's not good for their health, both mental and physical, if humans only do things alone. There are a lot of things one person can't do alone. People also need other people to speak to about anything, such as gossipping or bitching about something that ticks you off. That's also why I socialize with people.

Actually I'm pretty sure needs are sorted to "social needs" too,like the need to work. Think of socialization as one of such, it isn't vital to your survival as a species, but it is necessary to you as a human being.

Can't really say that anymore.
I wasn't really social to begin with, even as a kid.
I have got a competitive mind. If competition with others is also a kind of socialisation.......

What advantages do i have now if i socialise besides killing time with it?

Nothing to offer....nothing to gain.

Would you like an advice for treating that illness? That type of behavior is already proven to be very unhealthy---physically, mentally and emotionally. I recommend seeking help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freedan

I'll give a simple reason that's on a much larger, less individualistic scale. The question asks why do humans socialize? To put things simply, socialization is a natural human instinct. Without socialization, humans wouldn't be able to reproduce, and they would go extinct rather quickly as a result.

Are you sure its an instinct? I understand the point being human sexual instinct turning into a need but verbal communication regarding socialization is a different case in that communication could be controlled and is apparently non-related towards goals of reproduction. For example, I may socialize only for the sake of reproduction---a revealing need.

If all(entirely) needs are met automatically by the time a human is born, what is the importance of socialization? To reproduce? Reproduction can be achieved without socialization. hm..this leads me into questioning whether reproduction is truly instinctual. A human can choose to reproduce or not. But why do most humans do? Because of instincts? How does this actually work?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freedan

On a more individual basis, humans need to interact with others. It's not good for their health, both mental and physical, if humans only do things alone. There are a lot of things one person can't do alone. People also need other people to speak to about anything, such as gossipping or bitching about something that ticks you off. That's also why I socialize with people.

That is the logical aspect of the importance of socialization. But besides survivability or health(including instinct of human reproduction), what else is there?

Actually I'm pretty sure needs are sorted to "social needs" too,like the need to work. Think of socialization as one of such, it isn't vital to your survival as a species, but it is necessary to you as a human being.

How is it necessary (excluding Logically)? Is it a need of the human emotion? I don't think so.

Are you sure its an instinct? I understand the point being human sexual instinct turning into a need but verbal communication regarding socialization is a different case in that communication could be controlled and is apparently non-related towards goals of reproduction. For example, I may socialize only for the sake of reproduction---a revealing need.

If all(entirely) needs are met automatically by the time a human is born, what is the importance of socialization? To reproduce? Reproduction can be achieved without socialization. hm..this leads me into questioning whether reproduction is truly instinctual. A human can choose to reproduce or not. By why do most humans do? Because of instincts? How does this actually work?

Maybe I didn't really explain myself correctly, sorry. Don't you think it is natural for a human to try interact with another human? Would you find it more natural for a human to interact with a tree? Humans will naturally congregate together. Like I said, there are things one person cannot do without the help of another. Additionally, there are things one person can do that the other can't. To be completely self-sufficient is virtually impossible. This is what has given birth to societies. People grouped together to form villages and eventually cities. For this reason people socilize. Humans need each other by the end of the day.